Lisa Riley

Riley trained at the Oldham Theatre Workshop from the age of nine, and was signed by an agent three years later. Riley's early roles included appearances as an extra in both Coronation Street and Brookside as well as a cast member in Butterfly Kiss which was directed by Michael Winterbottom.[2] She then appeared in a guest role as Mandy Dingle in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1995. After proving popular with the audience, Riley was invited to join the soap's regular cast the following year.[3] In 1996, Riley won the National Television Awards for "Most Popular Newcomer" for her work in Emmerdale.[4] She continued to play Mandy until 2001 after deciding to pursue other television roles.[5]

Riley portrayed Princess Jean in the CITV Awards 1997, and also presented You've Been Framed between 1998 and 2002, taking over from the former presenter, Jeremy Beadle and raising viewers figures to more than 13 million at its peak in the process.[2] In 1999, Riley appeared in Put Out More Fags and had a cameo role in the music video for "When the Going Gets Tough" by Boyzone. The following year, she appeared in ITV's Christmas Pantomime, Aladdin, with Ed Byrne, Patsy Kensit, Julian Clary and Paul Merton and in 2001, she appeared in a commercial for Heineken. The 2006 album I Rock Eye Pop by Kings Have Long Arms includes a track titled "Lisa Riley". The Half Man Half Biscuit song "Breaking News" mentions Riley.

Riley featured as Rebecca Patterson, a "shy, retiring, twentysomething" woman, in the drama series Fat Friends across three series between 2002 and 2005.[6] Riley portrayed Goody McEldrich in a 2011 episode of the UK children's show 'Young Dracula', and during 2012, she appeared as Nadia Hicks in the second series of ITV crime drama, Scott & Bailey.[7] Between 2011 and 2013, Riley made guest appearance as Tina Allen in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road.[8] Later that year, Riley signed up as a contestant on the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Robin Windsor.[2] Riley juggled the rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing with filming two appearances for Waterloo Road in February 2013.[8] The couple have been lauded as the stars of the series, with notable moments including Riley lifting Windsor, Riley doing the splits at Wembley Arena, and the couple showing surprisingly brilliant technicality. The couple were eliminated during the semi-finals, on 16 December 2012.[9] She has since appeared on the 2013 live tour and the backstage show Strictly Confidential, directed by Craig Revel Horwood, who often praised her on the show.[8]

In September 2016, it was announced that Riley had joined the ITV daytime series Loose Women as one of three new panellists, following a series of guest appearances during the year.[10] In May 2017, Riley featured in the BBC miniseries Three Girls as Lorna, the mother of one of the main characters.[11] In August 2018, Riley starred in another BBC drama, Age Before Beauty, as Tina Reegan, a gothic tattoo artist.[12] Riley's return to Emmerdale for one storyline was announced on 13 November 2018. The character returns for a guest stint from January 2019.[13] She later returned full-time from September 2019.

Riley's other television credits include roles in The Bill, Holby City, Doctors, the BBC Afternoon Play series, Having It Off. She also played the role of Beth Trailor in the film Secret Society. On stage, Riley has appeared in fourteen pantomimes, including an starring role in Aladdin at the Kings Theatre in Southsea, Portsmouth during the 2009–10 pantomime season, as well as the UK tours of The Play What I Wrote, The Vagina Monologues, The Naked Truth, Waiting for Gateaux and Calendar Girls.

In late 2016, Riley lost over 10 stone in weight, making her first TV appearance since the change on Loose Women. Since becoming a regular panellist, Riley has spoken honestly about her weight loss and both the joy and sadness it has brought. After having surgery to remove excess skin, Riley describe herself as finally having her dream "cello" shaped body.

Riley describes herself as a "dedicated vegetarian".[14]

Television

Film

Guest appearances

• Loose Women (1999, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2016)
• This Morning (2001, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020)
• The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2009)
• The Wright Stuff (2009) – Guest panellist
• Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (2012, 2013, 2014)
• Let's Dance for Sport Relief (2013)
• Keep It in the Family (2015)
• Lorraine (2016)

• Lisa Riley on IMDb